In this transformational time, many brands are suffering, while a select few are flourishing. Within the walls of luxury, there is an ongoing debate on whether to develop collections or hero items—opposite poles of the spectrum. While the collections trend is about stylistic consistency for a harmonious lifestyle, the hero item trend explores the highly prized gems that eliminate unnecessary and sometimes unwanted items found in collections.

In this transformational time, many brands are suffering, while a
select few are flourishing. Within the walls of luxury, there is an
ongoing debate on whether to develop collections or hero items—opposite
poles of the spectrum. While the collections trend is about stylistic
consistency for a harmonious lifestyle, the hero item trend explores
the highly prized gems that eliminate unnecessary and sometimes
unwanted items found in collections. Let me introduce our two
panelists, Creo the Creative and Ana the Analyst who will share their
insights on this luxury brand debate.

advertisement

Creo the Creative: Let me start out by saying that I
am a big fan of collections. Burberry’s success is a part of a rising
collections trend in the luxury industry. They had a surprisingly
great first quarter.

Ana the Analyst: Yes, Burberry had an 8% uptick, or $375
million increase, in sales for the first quarter of this year. But
before Burberry had a first positive first quarter, the two previous
quarters showed a decline in sales. Just because Burberry had one solid
quarter does not indicate an upwards trend. Furthermore, even with this
uptick, Burberry still forecasts a 25% sales decline for the first half
of the year. I am going to take the side of “hero items.”

Creo: Well then what’s your example of a successful hero brand today?

Ana: Hermes has resorted to breeding their own crocodiles to
meet the demand of their coveted leather handbags. The challenge of
producing 3,000 handbags a year made Hermes croc bags an exclusive
luxury item that only a few can afford. And for those clamoring for a
Hermes croc bag, there is a year wait list. Nine thousand crocs were
used to make the limited quantity of Hermes handbags, which fetch a
handsome $48,410.

Creo: Hero items are worn to flaunt an affluent lifestyle.
In today’s economic environment, egregious displays of wealth are taboo
and the purveyors of hero items are stowing their diamond encrusted,
one-of-a-kind, most expensive objects. In fact, shoppers along swanky
Bloor Street in Toronto are trading their Tiffany blue and Hermes
orange for nondescript brown bags,reports Canada.com . It’s frustrating
and disturbing for those affected by the recession to see others flaunt
hero items. It’s almost a slap in the face for those struggling to just
get by.

Ana: On the other hand, collections just add clutter to our
wardrobes and jewelry boxes in a time when we are removing excess from
our lives. Across the country, consumers are utilizing less storage as
they de-clutter their lives. If you don’t believe me,self-storage stocks have fallen 40% from the beginning of the year to March.

advertisement

Creo: But those aren’t luxury consumers.

Ana: Maybe, maybe not. But it’s indicative of the overall
American psyche. Simplify our lives. If you are going to buy luxury,
get one iconic piece to make a statement. Let’s take a look at the
Black Mamba. Not the snake, Kobe Bryant’s $285,000 Nubeo watch. The
over quarter of a million dollar timepiece is a one-of-a-kind designed
specifically for the basketball superstar and named after his on-court
personality. Thinking like a collections brand, what if the
watchmaker…